Intelligent Water Systems

Population growth, climate change and an aging infrastructure have begun to put pressure on water and sewer rates. At the same time, 84 percent of residential drinking water is used, not to drink, but to water the lawn, wash laundry and flush the toilet. But architects, builders and regulators are turning to onsite waste water reuse systems. In Seattle, an ecodistrict is developing with the goal to cut energy consumption, water use and transportation-related CO2 emissions to about half of the national averages by 2030.

Water rates have increased steadily in the past 15 years, according to the American

Water Works Association. In Atlanta they more than tripled. In New York they more than doubled. In Jefferson County, Ala., sewer rates more than quadrupled and the county still filed for the largest-ever municipal bankruptcy to settle a $3.14 billion debt from upgrading the sewer system.

In North Carolina, water rates have increased about 40 percent in the past five years, according to the University of North Carolina and the N.C. League of Municipalities.

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